About this Mansion Home

45 Berryessa Way, Hillsborough, CA 94010

Interior, exterior and aerial photos page: 1

From the listing with Judy Meuschke: “This Hillsborough iconic landmark, seen from highway 280, is going on the market for the first time in 19 years. Designed in 1976 by Bay Area architect William Nicholson, the single family residence boasts multiple domes that were constructed by spraying shotcrete onto steel rebar and mesh frames over inflated aeronautical balloons. San Francisco builder, Wayne Da San Martino, managed the project. Originally painted off-white, this unique organic building was painted orange in 2007 and now sports a purple dome. Tourists and travelers alike admire and gape at this exceptional residence nestled into the hillside overlooking Crystal Springs Reservoir.

The reception from Hillsborough residents has been mixed through the years. It is purported that one Hillsborough resident at the time founded an architectural review board specifically to keep out experimental architecture. In the spirit of the style, the owner enhanced the interior to match her esthetic. She commissioned Emeryville architect, Eugene Tsui, to design her kitchen. Tsui is famous for designing many unusual buildings and structures in the U.S. and Asia. Lighted niches and appliance enclosures, glass countertop encased with a diagonal metal spine, wood cutout swinging doors, drawers and cabinets were custom designed and “biologic.” Burning Man artist, Dan Das Mann, fabricated beautiful steel doors that have cut coils protruding from the surface. Oakland artist, John Lewis Glass Studio, created the custom glasswork in the kitchen and guest bath. Tim Weldon paintings grace many of the open curved walls.

The owner chose unusually thick stone Jerusalem tiles to cover most of the house. Da San Martino describes his part in the interior design. “Nicholson designed the basic form, then he pretty much gave us free reign. (We built) a huge conversation pit, with the window cut at a level to hide the freeway, but show the reservoir.” The owner enhanced the room with specially made orange colored plaster for the circular seating area that is embellished with a tangerine cushion and pillows. This intimate warm setting is enriched by the height of the dome, fireplace, amoeba shaped window showcasing Crystal Springs Reservoir, and an Italian Catellani and Smith medusa chandelier hanging from the high pitch of the dome. Social media has an abundance of commentary about the Flintstone House. People comment on paint color changes, desire to see the interior, and curiosity about the owner. This Bay Area treasure is truly a world class work of art. This is an amazing opportunity buyers who appreciate the architecture and design.”

Listed price:

Address

Special categories

View amazing celebrity luxury homes and houses from movies that may be for sale or rent. We were the first ever celebrity real estate app, with over 100 high quality celebrity dream homes with prices, descriptions and high resolution photos. View more Celebrity Dream Houses

Editor Picks mansion homes are the most expensive and crazy mansions on the planet. Editor Picks are only for the best of the best multi million dollar mansions for sale and with the most luxurious interior design ever. View more Editor Picks

If you like houses, you have to love unique architecture as much as Mansion Homes does. Inside this category, we have some amazing mansions with the coolest architecture with designs that will baffle, amaze and please you. Check out these unique architecture mansion homes. View more Architecture

Historic mansions are houses that are over at least 100 years old. Some luxury homes are designed to look like older homes, but this category is reserved for mansion homes that are historic and have great stories that go along with them. We have historic mansions for sale as well as historic luxury real estate. View more Historic Mansions

Mega mansions are any mansion that is significantly larger than most homes. These luxury real estate mega mansions range in square footage, but to be called a mega you should at least have 20,000 square foot of floor space. The largest homes in the United States are over 100,000 square feet! To see some of the most expensive mega mansions in the world you just need to visit this category of mansions. View more Mega Mansions

Here are the most expensive houses and luxury real estate in the world. From the biggest and most expensive cabin mansions, to the most luxurious penthouse in the world. Visit the Most Expensive section to see the most expensive luxury homes in the world, United States and even some states. Here are inside pictures of the most expensive houses in the world. View more Most Expensive

Contemporary design is for real the "right now" style that everyone has got to have! There are tons of luxury real estate contemporary luxury interior design photos inside this Mansion Homes special category. Contemporary is similar to modern, with strong lines, open spaces and geometric shapes. We've found the best contemporary mansions and contemporary luxury real estate. View more Contemporary Luxury Real Estate

Want the location and the luxury but don't want to worry about things like maintenance and upkeep? A luxury penthouse is just the thing for you. We've gathered the most expensive penthouses in the world for you to shop. View more Penthouses and Condos